Lesson Plans on Density for Middle School Teachers

1 Lesson Plans on Density for Middle School Teachers bu Cory Patterson, Teresa Kennedy and Tiffany Miller Miller/Kennedy/Patterson TIES Module Density Expanding science and engineering to new horizons Table of Contents: Meet the Teachers Page 2. Module Overview Essential Questions, State standards Page 3-8. Lesson 1 Intro to Mass and Volume by Tiffany Miller Page 9-12. Masses of Objects Data Collection sheet Page 13. Lesson 2 The Nitty Gritty of Density by Teresa Kennedy Page 14-16. Density Station Data Sheet Page 17.

2 Liquid Layers Lab Sheet Page 18. Lesson 3 Wet goes up, must come down by Cory Patterson Page 19-21. Wet goes up must come down lab data sheet Page 22. Lesson 4 Density is in the Air by Tiffany, Teresa and Cory Page 23-26. Lamp Flowchart Page 27. Broken Appliance Flowchart Page 28. Balloon Simulation Flowchart Page 29. Engineering Process Report Page 30-31. Appendix: Assessment Instruments for Data Collection Pages 32-34. Assessment Instruments for Data Collection Answer Key Pages 35-37. Interview Protocol Page 38.

3 Appendix 1: Explanation of the Simulation Page 39-40. Volume Quiz Show Slide Printouts 1. Miller/Kennedy/Patterson TIES Module Density Meet the Teachers Cory Patterson is a teacher at Monaco Middle School in Las Vegas. He teaches 7th grade Earth Science. He will be teaching in Cairo, Egypt for the 2004-2006 School years. Teresa Kennedy is a teacher at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic School in Reno, Nevada. She teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade science. She is also a geologist and enjoys studying earth science in her free time!

4 Tiffany Miller teaches 7th and 8th grade science at O'Brien Middle School in Reno, Nevada. 2. Miller/Kennedy/Patterson TIES Module Density Module Overview Topic: Manifest Density As a result of this unit, students will understand: Density is defined by the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume. For an object to float, relative to its surroundings, it must be less dense than its surroundings. Density is a principle that is found in many of Earth's processes, including the water cycle. Density affects the workings of hot air balloons.

5 Essential Questions that focus this unit are: What is Density ? What is mass? What is volume? Can Density be measured? Why do some objects float or sink relative to other objects? What role does Density play in the water cycle? Can we make a balloon that floats in air? Assessment Performance Tasks: Students will create a miniature hot-air balloon that floats using their knowledge of Density , volume and mass. Students will design a replicable model showing Density at work in the water cycle Quizzes, Tests, Academic Prompts Students will be quizzed on their understanding of volume using a PowerPoint presentation Students will use their knowledge of mass and volume to write a letter to a company explaining these scientific concepts.

6 Other Evidence Students will record data and fill in lab sheets on day 1 and day 2. Student will complete a flow chart to show their testing data from a computer simulation. Student Self-Assessment Students will write a review of their balloon building experience and describe how mass, Density and volume affected their models. They will evaluate their own learning and progress throughout the unit. 3. Miller/Kennedy/Patterson TIES Module Density Key elements students will need to know: Definitions of Density , mass and volume.

7 SI Units. Variable management. Density is measurable. Real-world examples of Density working all around us. A working knowledge of Density in order to meet the challenge of constructing a working hot air balloon for their culminating task/project. Key skills students will need to be able to do: Take measurements (mass and volume) in determining the Density of selected objects. Comfortably use Density -related terminology. Scientific reasoning and problem solving. Describe scientific concepts in writing.

8 Calculate the densities of objects. Construct and use graphs in presenting data. Use higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Working cooperatively. Manipulate variables toward desired outcomes. Successfully navigate applet program. Apply the knowledge and skills learned from the Density unit in creating working hot air balloon. 4. Miller/Kennedy/Patterson TIES Module Density Teaching and Learning Experiences Mapped to State Standards: Lesson One Into Science Investigate and describe the to Mass and Volume relationship between the mass and the volume of various objects.

9 Organize information in tables and graphs and describe the relationships they reveal. Explain that quantities can vary in proportion to one another. ( , the ratio of mass to volume in the calculation of Density ). Select and use the appropriate SI. unit for a particular measurement ( , meters for length, seconds for time, and kilograms for mass). Make predictions based on all known data from similar conditions. Use instruments and laboratory safety equipment properly. Use appropriate technology in laboratory procedures for measuring, recording, and analyzing data ( , computers, graphing calculators and probes).

10 Design a controlled experiment. Keep an organized record of scientific investigations. Math Estimate and convert, units of measure for mass, and volume within the same measurement system; compare corresponding units of the two systems. 5. Miller/Kennedy/Patterson TIES Module Density Lesson Two The Science Investigate and describe the Density Nitty gritty of of solids, liquids, and gases. Density Explain that quantities can vary in proportion to one another. ( , the ratio of mass to volume in the calculation of Density ).